Gators relying on balance heading into NCAA Tournament vs. Virginia

The Gators' leading scorer at 16.3 points per game, Boynton scored just two points and made 1-of-9 (.111) shots in a SEC Tournament semifinal loss to Kentucky on Saturday. He heads into the NCAA Tournament averaging 9 points per game in the past five games, with the Gators losing four of those.

Although he'd like to get out of the slump, seventh-seeded Florida (23-10) enters its second-round game vs. No. 10 Virginia at the CenturyLink Center on Friday (2:10 p.m., TNT) with one big advantage – balanced scoring.

The Gators' five starters are averaging in double figures, a luxury vs. a Cavaliers (22-9) team that relies on two scorers.

"As a team, they take pressure off of me to go out and try to force things," said Boynton. "I can just let my game come to me whenever that game comes."

Florida's balance has helped sustain it this year as each of its starters has gone through scoring slumps. All five starters are averaging between 10.3 and 16.3 points per game, while Virginia has two players scoring in double figures – forward Mike Scott (18.1 ppg) and guard Joe Harris (11.5 ppg).

Scott, a first-team All-ACC selection, provides a tough challenge for the Florida defense. He has 10 double-doubles and comes into the tournament playing his best basketball of the season. He has averaged 28.6 points per game in the past three.

But the Cavaliers, who have seven scholarship players available, haven't been able to rely on their entire lineup like Florida has. Only Scott and guard Sammy Zeglinski have had 20-point nights. Led by Boynton's 12, all five of Florida's starters have had 20-point games this season.

"In our offense, we have enough weapons in shooting and can catch up and go attack any defense if we play the right defense and play the ball," said senior guard Erving Walker.

The teams' contrasting styles might provide Boynton an opportunity to break out of his slump. The Gators have pushed the pace in games this season and are averaging 76.3 points per game. They average 4.5 more possessions per game and more points per possession (1.16 vs. 1.03) than Virginia.

The Cavaliers play more in the halfcourt and average 63.1 points per game. Their pack-line defense has helped them rank second nationally in 53.7 points allowed per game. Although that defense has allowed opponents to shoot just 29.5 percent from 3-point range this year, it might be conducive to Florida's game.

A man-to-man style of defense, the pack line positions players along an imaginary arc about two feet inside the 3-point line. A player only goes outside the line when the man he's defending gets the ball. It forces teams to move the ball along the perimeter and limits penetration to the basket.

"It could help you or hurt you," said Boynton. "You come out and you rely too much on the 3s, that's probably what they want if you're missing. They want you to take quick shots so they can get the rebound and have you on defense getting you tired for 30 seconds."

Relying on defense and rebounding will be what coach Billy Donovan preaches, as he has all year. Scott earned third-team All-American honors from the Sporting News for a reason and slowing him will be a challenge. But the advantage for Florida will come if it can force the Cavaliers to try to stop five guys and not just its leading scorer.